---
title: "Southampton: Saints eye Nathaniel Phillips loan"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/southampton-saints-eye-nathaniel-phillips-loan/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Liverpool Football Club"
published: "2021-08-19T18:31:25Z"
modified: "2021-08-19T18:31:25Z"
---

# Southampton: Saints eye Nathaniel Phillips loan

**Southampton are said to be interested in a loan deal for Liverpool centre-back Nathaniel Phillips, as their search for a Jannik Vestergaard replacement rumbles on \[[The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2774607/2021/08/17/southamptons-centre-back-search-tosin-interest-while-phillips-could-re-emerge-as-a-target/)\].**

### The Lowdown: Shaky start for Saints

Starting 2021/22 with a lacklustre [3-1](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58124897) defeat away to Everton on Merseyside, Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl will be under no illusions – he needs to strengthen in central defence after the departure of Vestergaard to Leicester City \[[BBC](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58207197)\].

With just under two weeks of the window left to go, Southampton now look to have turned their attention to 6 foot 3 colossus Phillips.

\[freshpress-poll id=”370960″\]

### The Latest: Southampton keen on Phillips

As relayed by [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2774607/2021/08/17/southamptons-centre-back-search-tosin-interest-while-phillips-could-re-emerge-as-a-target/), the St Mary’s club are believed to be looking towards Liverpool defender Phillips to fill the void left by Vestergaard.

They are not looking to do a permanent deal, however Southampton would be willing to come to some sort of loan arrangement for his services.

[Newcastle United](https://www.geordiebootboys.com/transfers/newcastle-transfers-news-southampton-want-phillips-and-tosin/) and [Burnley](https://www.lancs.live/sport/football/transfer-news/nat-phillips-liverpool-transfer-burnley-20799878) are amongst two of many clubs mooted to have been monitoring his situation this summer.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”338761″\]

### The Verdict: Phillips would be a solid addition

An important part of Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League qualification last term, Phillips would be a solid signing for the Saints due to his domineering presence and bravery at the back.

In 2020/21, he made 20 appearances for the Reds, notching two goal contributions; one goal and one assist \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/nathaniel-phillips/leistungsdaten/spieler/371814/plus/0?saison=2020)\].

Influential at the heart of the Liverpool defence, Phillips managed to successfully win no fewer than 5.6 aerial duels per fixture across the same time period \[[WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/381527/History/Nathaniel-Phillips)\].

Once labelled as ‘brilliant’ by his manager Jurgen Klopp after bagging the Reds’ Player of the Month award for March 2021, Southampton could do a lot worse than to sign Phillips up before the end of August \[[Liverpool FC Official](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/430184-i-couldn-t-be-more-pleased-for-him-klopp-on-nat-phillips-potm-award)\].

***In other news, Southampton eye a midfielder once hailed by Pep Guardiola. Find out everything you need to know [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league/southampton-premiership/southampton-saints-keen-on-sean-longstaff-swoop/).***